Cedar Valley Gems

CEDAR VALLEY GEMS

CEDAR VALLEY ROCKS & MINERALS SOCIETY CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA Volume 39 Issue 4 December 2012

President Club Holiday Potluck Wrapup Marv Houg (319) 364-2868 The Club’s holiday party was again held at the Guaranty Bank in Fairfax. In Dell [email protected] James’ own words, here is how she described it: “I can say however that anyone who Vice President Bill Desmarais could not make the party missed out on a really good time. Lots of delicious food. (319) 365-0612 Lots of gifts and played a few rounds of bingo. It was without out a doubt the best [email protected] party ever. Next year, bigger and better. And the best part, people showed up Treasurer early to help set up. thanks Danny. Some stayed after to clean up.” Dale Stout (319) 365-7798 Hopefully you picked up your Agate calendars while at the potluck. Dale ordered a [email protected] Secretary few extra at $7.50 each and are available First Come, First Serve. Dell James (319) 446-7591 Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! [email protected] Editor The next Board Meeting will be held Tuesday, January 8, at 7:15 PM at the home Toby Jordan of Marv and Sue Houg. (319) 360-2762 [email protected] Liaison Joy Cummings Family Christmas Baskets (319) 981-2482 Imm. Past President Each year our club provides Christmas baskets for needy families through HACAP. Sharon Sonnleitner This year we are supporting 2 families. We are required to provide 2 new gifts for (319) 396-4016 [email protected] each child and 1 for each adult in addition to a food basket. Page 2 contains the gift Director 2013 details for these two families. Andrew Halfmann Director 2014 Tom Whitlatch Dues are Due (319) 362-0684 [email protected] Check your mailing label to see when your dues expire. If you paid in advance, no Director 2015 additional payment is necessary. Please pay at a meeting or send dues to Dale Stout. Jeff Kahl (319) 455-2201 Historian Leslie Blin In This Newsletter (319) 377-3339 [email protected] Family Christmas Basket Details……………..…..…….....2 Sunshine Annual Meeting Minutes…..…………………….……..………...3 Dolores Slade Monthly Board Meeting Minutes………...…..……………..4 (319) 351-5559 [email protected] Events to Consider.………..……………………...………..……..5,6 Hospitality Jan. / Feb. 2013 Calendar of Events…...……..…...…...7 Jeff Kahl ALAA Strives to Keep Public Lands Open...…..…...…7 (319) 455-2201 Hosts & Hostesses Still Needed for 2013…...…...…7 Webmaster Rockin’ In Morocco Adventure…………...…………...…...…8 Please visit the website for the Sharon Sonnleitner 2013 Rock Tumbling Contest...………………..…..………...…9 (319) 396-4016 latest news and updates @ [email protected] Tips on “How to” - Fossils & Rock Tumbling…....10,11 Items For Sale………………….……..……………….…...….....……11 www.cedarvalleyrockclub.org PAGE 2 CEDAR VALLEY GEMS VOLUME 39, ISSUE 4 Family Christmas Basket Details

As in the past, hopefully you brought a non-perishable food item to the December 11 holiday party for the food baskets.

A collection will be taken up to purchase additional food items to complete a holiday meal and to buy any presents that are not covered.

If you didn’t make it to the party but would like to contribute, please send a check to Dale Stout. His address is on the back page. Any amount is welcome. We do not use club money for this project.

Ground Rules from HACAP for the Adopt-a-Family Program

Each adult should receive at least one new gift. Each child should receive at least two new gifts. We may supplement the new gifts with used items, if they are clean and in good condition. The items listed below are suggestions from the families, but we may choose other gifts if we prefer.

NOTIFY SHARON – [email protected] 319-310-0085, if you intend to purchase a gift so we don’t duplicate.

NAME AGE Clothing or 1st Preference Non-Clothing OTHER GIFT--SPECIFY Mom 26 Vacuum cleaner Dishes Said they “have nothing” & would really appreciate any- Pots & pans thing. No allergies. Prefer Gift Cards to Walmart or Tar- turkey for holiday meat. get Girl Just Pants, shirts sz 5-6T, kind V-tech or something with Coat, gloves, boots (see sizes 3 of on hefty side/Mom headphones that she can lis- for shirts/shoes) ten to and learn from

Underwear

Socks (wears sz 10 ½ kid

Mom 29 Jeans sz 16 Candles No Allergies. Prefer Ham for holiday meat Shirts sz 2X Gift Cards to Walmart

Bras sz 42D Boy 6 Jeans xz 12 WWF wrestling figurines or anything wrestling. Like bas- Shirts sz 10 ketball, karate, and football Underwear sz 12 – boxers

Socks (wears sz 3 kid shoes) PAGE 3 CEDAR VALLEY GEMS VOLUME 39, ISSUE 4 Cedar Valley Rock and Mineral Society Annual Meeting November 20, 2012

Call to order: 7:22 p.m. by Marv Houg, President.

Minutes: A motion was made by Julie Whitlatch to accept the minutes of the last meeting as published. Seconded by Tom Whitlatch and carried.

Treasury: Treasurer Dale Stout reported $2,703.06 in the checking account. A motion was made by Jeff Kahl to approve the treasurer’s report. Seconded by Tom and carried.

Program: Following the treasurer’s report, the meeting broke for a program by Grant Wood Area Education Agency science consultant Christopher Soldat on “Developing Student Understandings about Earth Sciences.”

The meeting resumed at 9:53.

Elections: The nominating committee of Sharon Sonnleitner, Joy Cummings and Toby Jordan presented Jeff Kahl as the can- didate to replace Leonard Moellers, who is finishing his second 3-year term as a Director. There were no nominations from the floor and Jeff was elected unanimously.

New Business: The Board presented a motion that the club donate $250 to the Mt. Mercy Grotto Project, which is trying to match a $30,000 Smithsonian grant to help with the maintenance of the restored grotto. Dennis Schlicht seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

A motion was made by Dale to donation $100 to Connections for 2013. Seconded by Bill Desmarais and carried unanimously.

Announcements: ZRS sent an announcement of an opening for their Morocco guided fossil and mineral adventure in May.

The Midwest Federation show is April 6-7 in Lincoln

The club holiday party will be the 2nd Tuesday, December 11, at Guaranty Bank in Fairfax. The club will furnish Turkey, cooked by Dell James, and drinks. The rest of the dinner will be potluck.

AJ Johnson made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Shelly Johnson. The meeting adjourned at 9:13 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Sharon Sonnleitner PAGE 4 CEDAR VALLEY GEMS VOLUME 39, ISSUE 4 Cedar Valley Rock and Mineral Society December 4, 2012 Board Meeting Minutes

Members Present: Marv Houg, Sharon Sonnleitner, Dell James, Tom Whitlatch, Leonard Moellers, Toby Jordan, Jeff Kahl, Bill Desmarais, Dale Stout Call to order: 7:20 p.m. by Marv, President at Marv Houg’s house

AUCTION SUMMARY A vote from the membership is required to enable the club to have the auction 2014. Will place on agenda for January 2014.

Some concern from last meeting regarding the conflict between our auction and the Denver show. This year (2014) they occur on different weekends.

Advertisement in Rock and Gem, separate from the calendar entry, was discussed. Darren volunteered to pay for half of the expense. Motion made by Tom to look into and place an ad in the Rock & Gem in February and September issues. Motion passed. Marv and Sharon will follow up.

1045 lots currently committed.

Allyn’s stuff still needs to be picked up. Dale will work on it.

HACAP families The club has elected to help two families out with food and gifts. Sharon will contact the families for more specific information. Watch the Web Site for information. (www.cedarvallyrockclub.org)

Dale, Dell and anyone else interested will grocery shop on Thursday or Friday, (Dec. 20 and 21st) weather depending and deliver the same day.

SHOW 2013 March 16-17 Marv has attempted to contact Tiffany regarding the student help for booklets, pamphlets, whatever. He will continue with the endeavor. Marv is working on getting display.

Discussion ensued regarding the possible speakers and subjects. Ray Anderson, Sarah ?? on Mammoth, Jeff? Has interesting Tree story. Also Marv may put together a show and tell about prepping fossils.

Newspaper publicity and main personality to be highlighted? Decided on Tiffany because of the fossil theme and her unique connection to repository etc. and University.

Egg Cartons will be done again. Sharon will check on material available. Tom has 2 gallons of polished apache tears to use. As usual, $1.00for small and $1.50 for large. They sell well and are good teaching tools. We will need a workday to fill cartons.

Raffle Prizes Dale working on permit that is needed. Suggested items, wooden dinosaur , Pete Larson has something for us, and Malm’s large Geode. These are in addition to the door prizes offered.

Dinner on Saturday will be catered by Hy-Vee. A sign up list will be passed around at meeting. Extra utensils will be available. Last year there was plenty of food but not enough plates, etc. Desserts will be provided by club.

Contracts have gone out and 14 have been returned.

Library Leslie still has the library and Joy is trying to get it to her house. Joy Cummings volunteered to take over the library. Motion to adjourn by Leonard, Second by Tom Meeting adjourned 9:30pm.

Respectfully submitted, Dell James Recording Sec. PAGE 5 CEDAR VALLEY GEMS VOLUME 39, ISSUE 4 Events to Consider — Provided by Dale Stout

1. Rock swap with Arkansas club - let me know if anyone is interested in participating

2. ZRS trip to Morocco for the adventuresome

3. Iowa Gems and Minerals in your pocket available

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1. Rock Swap Proposal:

Hi- I'm in the Spring River Gem & Mineral Club in Cherokee Village, AR

We are hoping you will do a rock swap with us. We use the US Post office medium size flat rate boxes, adding delivery confirmation around $12. A minimum of 10#, assorted sizes of mineral/fossil specimens, each individually wrapped and identified.

Please let me know what you think about this.

Mary Kocz [email protected]

2. Join ZRS Fossils and Gifts for a Rockin' in Morocco Adventure - Spring 2013 (See attachment on page 8)

If you are interested in collecting fossils, minerals, crystals, agates and artifacts while experiencing some of the most breath-taking countryside and wonderfully hospitable cultures -- then this ZRS Guided Adventure to exotic Morocco is right up your alley! We have a few openings still available for our new route scheduled for May 7th - 21st. During our ZRS Moroccan Collecting Adventures participants spend thirteen to sixteen active days im- mersed in delightful experiences ranging from visits to the enchanting cities of Marrakech and Rabat -- as well as touring quaint southern villages and visiting remarkable Berber families in their goat-hair tents and mud-brick homes. These fieldtrips provide endless educational opportunities - particularly related to fossils and minerals. Additionally, imagine continuous photographic inspirations around every bend - daily picnics in beautiful palm oases with fresh olives, almonds, monstrous sweet oranges - evenings of music and dance alongside culinary oohs and ahhs - intricate North African handcrafts - brilliant patterns of color and texture - superb art and architecture - camel treks through the Sahara to meet the twinkling night skies - dayglow green lizards and friendly Barbary apes - intriguing tribal history at every bend - and delightful exchanges with new Moroccan friends all along the route. These adventures cover approximately 2500 kilometers, including all major environments from high moun- tains to vast deserts and the Atlantic Ocean as well. Participants will visit primary outcrops and famous sites for fossils, agates and prehistoric rock art, along with mine sites and dumps for minerals and crystals. Included will be stops to visit local miners, villagers and Moroccan fossil and mineral dealers. You can anticipate a collecting experience of a lifetime! If you are interested in participating next spring, please let us know as soon as possible!

Contact John McArdle or Kelly Lund at ZRS Fossils and Gifts - 3018 Lyndale Ave South, Minneapolis MN 55408

TEL 612.824.1068 / Email: [email protected]

Facebook - ZRS Images from Morocco:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.335317009862667.79275.127956357265401&type=3

Continued on page 6

PAGE 6 CEDAR VALLEY GEMS VOLUME 39, ISSUE 4 Continued from page 5

3. Iowa Gems and Minerals in your pocket

Several members have specimens pictured in this handy guide and it is available for $7 + postage thru the U of I press till January (regularly $9.95). Unfortunately postage is $5 for the first book and $1 thereafter. So if you are interested in getting one. I would put together an order so that you could get your copy for $8 ($7 + 1) by combining our orders. I would need to know ASAP. They have to come from Chicago so there is no guarantee they would be here by Christmas.

http://www.uiowapress.org/books/2012-spring/iowa-gems-and-minerals-your-pocket.htm

From the spiky teeth of a geode containing sparkling quartz crystals, the rich browns and golds of smoky quartz and goethite needles on calcite, and the coral-like branches of plumose barite to the abstract reds and whites of polished agate cabochons, world-class mineral crystals are harvested from the rocks of the Hawkeye State. Col- lecting these high-quality crystals requires access to active mines, pits, and quarries, and individual collectors are rarely allowed entrance to these facilities. With information about each specimen’s type, source, size, and cur- rent location, Paul Garvin and Anthony Plaut’s Iowa Gems and Minerals in Your Pocket provides access to the glit- tering, gleaming world of Iowa crystals.

Most, if not all, of Iowa’s gems and minerals are products of crystallization in underground cavities that filled with water containing dissolved chemicals. The famed Iowa geodes (Iowa’s state rock) are products of a complex process of replacement and cavity-filling in the Warsaw Shale. Armored by a rind of tough chalcedonic quartz, these spheroidal masses, which range up to more than a meter across, weather out of the host rock and accumu- late along streams in the southeastern part of the state. During the Pleistocene Epoch, large masses of glacial ice rafted the ultra-fine-grained variety of quartz called Lake Superior agate, which had previously weathered out of their host rocks, southward into Iowa. They can be found in the gravels that have accumulated along major streams in the eastern half of the state.

Iowa’s long record of mining lead, coal, gypsum, and limestone contains a rich history; the forty-seven mineral specimens in Iowa Gems and Minerals in Your Pocket make up a fascinating illustrated guide to that history. Care- fully lit and photographed to reveal both maximum detail and maximum beauty, each specimen becomes a work of art.

2012 Laminated Fold-out Guide, 47 Color Photos

Paul Garvin

Anthony Plaut

Paper: $9.95

Sale price: $7.00

Please use Promo Code MERRY12 when prompted by Shopping Cart

1-60938-085-1 978-1-60938-085-4 PAGE 7 CEDAR VALLEY GEMS VOLUME 39, ISSUE 4 January / February 2013 Calendar of Events — Courtesy of MWF

JANUARY 2013 dington & West A; Sun. 1-4;

26: LINCOLN, NE. Lincoln Gem & Mineral Club, CONTACT: Karen Messenger, Lincoln Gem & Mineral Inc.’s Annual Mid-winter Swap; Bethany Park Shelter Club, P.O. Box 5342, Lincoln, NE 68505, 402.946.2281, House, Cotner Blvd. & Vine St.; Sat. 1-5; [email protected], www.lincolngemmineralclub.org. CONTACT: Richard Peterson, Lincoln Gem & Mineral Club, P.O. Box 5342, Lincoln, NE 68505, 402.489.2996, 23-24: ROSEVILLE, MN. Anoka County Gem & Min- [email protected], www.lincolngemmineralclub.org. eral Club’s Winter Show; Har Mar Mall, 2100 Snelling; Sat. 10-6, Sun. Noon-5; FEBRUARY 2013 CONTACT: Martha Miss, 651.459.0343, info@rock- 10: LINCOLN, NE. Lincoln Gem & Mineral Club, Inc.’s biz.biz. Geology Day; Pioneer Park, Prairie Life Center, Cod-

ALAA Strives to Keep Public Lands Open for Rockhounds

By Dick Pankey, 2012 President, ALAA (American Lands Access Association)

There are many threats to the use and access of our public lands. Access restrictions have taken place through presidential, legislative and Land Use Plan (LUP) decisions, because we, the users, have not effectively repre- sented our wants to political leaders, and have not participated fully in the LUP process. ALAA is the advocate and the leader for positive action to change the pattern of ever-increasing restrictions to our use and access. Apathy and not being involved are our greatest threats. . . .

Compared to the anti-access organizations, we are a small, minimally funded organization. We do not have a paid staff. We are volunteers dedicated to fighting for the rights of all rockhounds and everyone who wants to rec- reate on our public lands. There are many opportunities for you to be involved in our efforts to save access and retain the right to use these lands.

Does this catch your interest? Would you like to be more involved? Do you have the spark of an idea for something that you would like to do to make a difference? Find out more about us at www.amlands.org. A LAA is the lobbying arm of the American Federation, working on behalf of rockhounds to keep public lands open and accessi- ble to all, including the elderly and handicapped.

(Excerpted from the April to June, 2012, ALAA Newsletter)

Hosts and Hostesses Still Needed for 2013

A reminder that hosts and hostesses are still needed for the following months.

 January 2013: One (1) host or hostess

 May 2013: Two (2) hosts or hostesses

Duties include bringing a drink and a dish (cookies, dip, etc.) to share with the club at the monthly meeting. If interested, please tell Dell James so she can update the signup sheet.

PAGE 8 CEDAR VALLEY GEMS VOLUME 39, ISSUE 4

Rockin’ in Morocco Adventure

Join ZRS Fossils and Gifts for a Rockin' in Morocco Adventure - Spring 2013 If you are interested in collecting fossils, minerals, crystals, agates and artifacts while experiencing some of the most breath-taking countryside and wonderfully hospitable cultures -- then this ZRS Guided Adventure to exotic Morocco is right up your alley! We have a few openings still available for our new route scheduled for May 7th - 21st. During our ZRS Moroccan Collecting Adventures participants spend thirteen to sixteen active days im- mersed in delightful experiences ranging from visits to the enchanting cities of Marrakech and Rabat -- as well as touring quaint southern villages and visiting remarkable Berber families in their goat-hair tents and mud-brick homes. These fieldtrips provide endless educational opportunities - particularly related to fossils and minerals. Additionally, imagine continuous photographic inspirations around every bend - daily picnics in beautiful palm oases with fresh olives, almonds, monstrous sweet oranges - evenings of music and dance alongside culinary oohs and ahhs - intricate North African handcrafts - brilliant patterns of color and texture - superb art and architecture - camel treks through the Sahara to meet the twinkling night skies - dayglow green lizards and friendly Barbary apes - intriguing tribal history at every bend - and delightful exchanges with new Moroccan friends all along the route. These adventures cover approximately 2500 kilometers, including all major environments from high moun- tains to vast deserts and the Atlantic Ocean as well. Participants will visit primary outcrops and famous sites for fossils, agates and prehistoric rock art, along with mine sites and dumps for minerals and crystals. Included will be stops to visit local miners, villagers and Moroccan fossil and mineral dealers. You can anticipate a collecting experience of a lifetime! If you are interested in participating next spring, please let us know as soon as possible! Contact John McArdle or Kelly Lund at ZRS Fossils and Gifts 3018 Lyndale Ave South Minneapolis MN 55408 TEL 612.824.1068 Email: [email protected] Facebook - ZRS Images from Morocco: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.335317009862667.79275.127956357265401&type=3 PAGE 9 CEDAR VALLEY GEMS VOLUME 39, ISSUE 4 2013 Rock Tumbling Contest PAGE 10 CEDAR VALLEY GEMS VOLUME 39, ISSUE 4

How to Preserve Fossils By Ethan Schowalter-Hay, eHow Contributor (http://www.ehow.com/how_5625390_preserve-fossils.html)

Most of the work for amateur fossil enthusiasts is in the hunting and extracting of these mineralized relics of past organisms. That field work may be the romantic part of the endeavor, but it's all for naught if the specimen is not properly cared for and stored.

1. Preserve fossils for transport by insulating them in burlap and plaster. Once a fossil has been exposed, wrap it first in wet paper towels or toilet paper and then in newspaper. While this wrapping dries, soak strips of burlap 3 inches wide in water and then in plaster that has been mixed. Apply these comprehensively to the fossil. For smaller specimens, you can sometimes use several outer layers of aluminum foil over the paper towel/newspaper wrapping, secured by duct tape.

2. Clean the fossil. This may be accomplished with tools like toothbrushes, chisels and drills --- all wielded with the utmost care, of course.

3. Secure broken pieces of fossil with an adhesive. The University of Nebraska State Museum recommends against using epoxies. Test out any adhesive you plan to use on a fossil or similar substrate you're willing to experiment on. Museums often spray specimens with resins called consolidants repeatedly to make them more durable. Use adhesives only on dry and warm fossils.

4. Store fossils in a dry location. A shoebox will do, but fossil-hunters with burgeoning collections should consider storage cabinets with padded drawers. Maintaining stable temperatures is important; temperature ex- tremes and variation can deteriorate or burst fossils, and improper levels may promote mold, shift mineral structure and affect the adhesives helping preserve the object. The American Museum of Natural History recommends an optimum range of 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit; the National Park Service suggests 59 to 77 degrees for paleontological and geological specimens. Relative humidity should ideally be limited to between 45 and 55 percent. Oscillating humidity may crack a fossil as moisture is variously absorbed and expelled, and high levels of moisture in the air can encourage corrosion. Keep fossils out of direct light.

5. Limit dust by filtering your air system, keeping windows and doors to the collection closed. Open shelves should be protected by plastic sheeting.

How to Use Sugar When Rock Tumbling By Kenneth Coppens, eHow Contributor (http://www.ehow.com/how_8530028_use-sugar-rock-tumbling.html)

A hobby for people of all ages, rock tumbling takes dull, jagged rocks and gives them a smooth, shiny appearance. Rock tumblers use an abrasive grit along with constant rotation or shaking to smooth the edges. Depending on the original condition of the rocks, it may take three or four cycles in the tumbler to get desirable results. Use sugar in the final cycle to give the rocks a more polished look.

1. Sort through the rocks and set aside any with chips, pits or flaking. Only smooth rock should move on to the polishing cycle. If desired, put any chipped rocks through another grinding cycle in the tumbler to make them smooth.

2. Place the rocks in the tumbler barrel. Add plastic tumbling pellets to the barrel if the rocks do not reach the recommended fill line level. Continued on page 11 PAGE 11 CEDAR VALLEY GEMS VOLUME 39, ISSUE 4

“How to” - continued

3. Measure the appropriate amount of sugar and add it to the tumbler barrel. Use 2 tbsp. for up to 3 lbs. of rocks, 4 tbsp. for 3 to 6 lbs. of rocks, 6 tbsp. for 6 to 12 lbs. of rocks and 8 tbsp for 12 lbs. tumbler barrels. For the average at-home rock tumbler, 2 to 4 tbsp. of sugar should be adequate.

4. Add water to the tumbler barrel so the rocks are barely covered. Put the lid on the barrel. Attach the barrel to the tumbler according to the directions of your particular product.

5. Plug in the tumbler and allow it to run until the rocks reach the desired appearance, usually between four and seven days. Check the rocks each morning and night during the tumbling process.

6. Strain the finished rocks and check the shine. Properly polished rocks should look the same whether they are wet or dry.

Items For Sale

From Meggy Becker’s “Rock, Gem, Mineral, and Fossil” Estate Sale, the following items are still available for sale. Please contact Meggy if interested in buying: Meggy Becker Mankato,MN 507-388-8469 [email protected]

300 + lb. Amethyst 82 lb. Thunder Eggs uncut Quartz Crystals cleaned and not 32.5 lb. Tiger Iron Thunder Eggs – several boxes Tourmaline black 17.5 lb. Mexican Lace Agate 85 lb. Bighamite Rose Quartz approx. 2 to 300 lb. 23.5 lb. Indiana Fancy Jasper 60.5 lb. Rodonite Petrified Wood approx. 2000 to 2500 10.5 lb. Grapes of wrath 106 lb. Amazonite lbs. — ND, WY and Arizona 89.5 lb. Howlite 60 lb. Mozarkite Fossils 52.5 lb. Mary Allen Jasper 15.5 lb. Chalcedony 16.5 lb. Tufa Hot springs SD 55 lb. Mariposite 300 lb. Moss Agate 16 lb. Petrified Coral 204 lb. Turetilla Agate 50.5 lb. White Skin Agate Brazil 45 lb. Chalcedony Sponge 3 lb. Blue Lace Agate 9 lb. Rhodinite 34 + lb. Large Brazilian Agate halves 46.5 lb. Garnets 8.5 lb. Blach skin Agate 50 lb. Goethite 23.5 lb. Mexican Jasper 32 lb. Australian Opalite 41.5 lb. Hickryte 4 lb. Imperial Jasper 17 lb. Mex. Lace Agate 55 lb. Thompsonite in Matrix Agates mixed cut 76.5 lb. Dendritic Opalite Australia 21 lb. Mixed Jasper 65 lb. Pipestone 12.5 lb. Dendritic Agate WY 29 lb. Golden Moss Agate Mex. Mica 23 lb. Orbicular Rhyolite Mex. 32 lb. Stromatalith 84 lb. Prase India Mixed - several boxes of agates, jas- Picture Jasper 100 lb. Parell per etc. 21 lb. Mex. Lace Jasper 100 lb. Obsidian 45 lb. Indiana Fancy Jasper 87 lb. Snowflake Obsidian Approx. 50 Flats of collectable min- 8.5 lb. Mex. Rainbow Agate 81 lb. Onyx eral specimens 46 lb. Stained Opalite Copper in Matrix several boxes 20 + lb. Dugway Geodes large Geodes Iowa several boxes TOBY JORDAN, EDITOR Cedar Valley Gems December 2012 Postage 1827 Oak Knolls Ct SE Required Cedar Rapids, IA 52403

Visit us on the web at: www.cedarvalleyrockclub.org

Cedar Valley Rocks & Minerals Society was organized for the purpose of studying the sciences of mineralogy, geology, and the arts of lapidary gemology. We are members of the Midwest (MWF) and American (AFMS) Federations. Membership is open to anyone who professes an interest in rocks and minerals. Dues are $15.00 per family per calendar year and can be sent to: Dale Stout 2237 Meadowbrook Dr. SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52403. Dale regularly e-mails the Local Calendar of Events to all of the club members. If you have not been receiving them, your e-mail has either changed or has not been provided to him. His e-mails typically announce events that happen before the newsletter is even published and received by the club members. Don’t miss out! Please provide Dale ([email protected]) with your updated e-mail address. Thank You!

Submission of Articles

Please send submissions for publication in the Cedar Valley Gem newsletter to the Editor no later than the first day of the previous month. For example, August 1 for the September issue. Advance items are appreciated. Material may be e-mailed to Toby Jordan at [email protected], or submitted via the U.S. Mail: Toby Jordan 1827 Oak Knolls Court SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52403

The club meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of each month from September through November and from January through May at 7:15 PM at the Rockwell Collins 35th St. Plant Cafeteria, Cedar Rapids, IA. The December meeting is a Christmas dinner held on the usual meeting night. June, July, and August meetings are potlucks held at 6:30 PM at area parks on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.